Incredibles 2

★★★★★ - A Review by Cameron Kanachki

14 years. That's how long we've waited for a sequel to The Incredibles. Although we understood that the best story needed to be realized & that it takes a while for that, we wanted it sooner.

Incredibles 2 was definitely worth the wait. In fact, I loved it even more than the first. The film once again follows our favorite superhero family: the Parrs: father Bob, AKA Mr. Incredible (voiced by Craig T. Nelson); mother Helen, AKA Elastigirl (voiced by Holly Hunter); daughter Violet (voiced by Sarah Vowell); son Dash (voiced by Huck Milner); & infant son Jack-Jack (voiced by Eli Fucile). They are still secretly operating as The Incredibles. After their attempt to stop The Underminer (voiced by John Ratzenberger) from robbing Metroville Bank is foiled, they are put in a motel since the Super Relocation program is being discontinued, this being the last favor being given to them by longtime supervisor Rick Decker (voiced by Jonathan Banks).

Not long afterwards, family friend Lucius Best, AKA Frozone (voiced by Samuel L. Jackson) is contacted by Winston Deavor (voiced by Bob Odenkirk), an avid superhero fan & owner of technological company DEVTECH. Lucius asks Bob & Helen to come with him to talk with Winston about superheroes. Winston & his sister, Evelyn (voiced by Catherine Keener), propose a stunt to regain the public's faith & trust in superheroes. Helen is chosen as the first person for the job, as Bob & Lucius cause much more destruction in their heroic efforts than Helen. Reluctant at first, Helen decides to take up the offer.

Bob, disappointed about not getting back into the superhero life as soon as he hoped, takes up the task of being a stay-at-home dad, which he struggles with at first, as Violet goes through heartache, Dash struggles with math, & Jack-Jack's powers start to form. Eventually, he pushes through the struggles, thanks to the help of Edna Mode (voiced by Brad Bird).

On Helen's end, she's trying to face off against someone by the alias of Screenslaver. But the issue with Screenslaver is not as it may appear.

The cast is superb. Nelson & Hunter are so energetic, & bring a lot of liveliness to their roles. Samuel L. Jackson is terrific as always. And Brad Bird steals the show again as Edna.

Brad Bird's direction is excellent. Bird still has that sense of child-like wonder in him that he has brought to the silver screen once again, along with his trademark throwback style.

Brad Bird's screenplay is amazing. The characters are well-developed, & the script is filled with a lot of sharp wit & clever humor.

The sound design is fantastic. From the sounds of explosions & destruction to the sounds of motorcycles & trains zipping by, the sounds are always loud & in-your-face.

Michael Giacchino's score is phenomenal. Giacchino's classic bombastic orchestral style is at full power here, & the music powered by vivacious trumpets is always a perfect underscore to the action.

And the animation, as always for a Pixar film, is wondrous. The attention to detail is jaw-dropping, & the world-building through the animation is terrific.

This is one of Pixar's best films in recent memory. It's one of the rare sequels that manages to top the first, & is always incredible. Yes, that pun was intended.

Incredibles 2 was seen by me at the MJR Partridge Creek Digital Cinema 14 in Clinton Township, MI on Thursday, June 14, 2018. It is in theaters everywhere. Its runtime is 118 minutes, & it is rated PG for action sequences & some brief mild language.